New record set for zero-carbon generation

Two records for green electricity generation were broken on the same day as 2022 drew to a close, National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has confirmed.

Friday 30 December saw a new high for wind energy generation in Great Britain as well as record amounts of power coming from zero-carbon sources, such as renewables and nuclear.

Wind generated 20.918GW of electricity between 6pm and 6.30pm on Friday, beating the previous record of 20.896GW set on 2 November. It was the third time a new milestone had been set for the technology in 2022.

The ESO also confirmed that a new record was set on the same day for the percentage of zero-carbon electricity generated in a half-hour period, which reached 87.2%. Overall, wind provided 61.4% of Britain’s electricity that day, with nuclear providing 18.3% and gas 8%.

In announcing the new records, the ESO said it showed “we are getting ever closer to 100% zero carbon operation”.

RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail welcomed the announcements, saying: “The fact that the UK’s onshore and offshore wind farms keep setting new electricity generation records shows just how important this technology has become in our modern energy system. Wind power is playing a central role in keeping UK homes and businesses powered up at the coldest time of the year.

“Wind is now the UK’s cheapest source of new power, so every unit of electricity we generate from it helps consumers by reducing ultra-expensive gas imports. Investing in more wind and other renewables is vital in tackling the cost of living crisis for hard-pressed bill payers.

“It’s great to see that we’ve also set a new record of nearly 90% of our electricity generated by low carbon sources, as it demonstrates the enormous amount of progress which the UK has made in moving away from fossil fuels, getting us closer to our net zero goal.”

Data from the Drax Electric Insights report, released in December, showed Britain generated a record amount of renewable electricity last year.

Renewable power sources generated 40% of the country’s electricity in 2022 – up from 35% in 2021, helping to cut CO2 emissions from the power sector by 2.7 million tonnes year on year.

However, the report also shows that gas supplied 42% of Britain’s power last year – its largest share of the fuel mix since 2016. As has been well documented, the conflict in Ukraine also prompted soaring gas prices.

Academics from Imperial College London calculated that the average wholesale price for gas rose above £200 per megawatt hour (MWh) for the first time ever in 2022 – up from £113 the year before. This is nearly six times higher than the cost of electricity in 2020 (£34 per MWh).

Last year also saw Britain become a net exporter of electricity for the first time in more than a decade.